This easy apple cinnamon cake is soft, moist and loaded with apples. It’s sprinkled with a delicious cinnamon-sugar topping and has only 5 ingredients! A slice of apple cinnamon cake on vintage plate with an apple and rest of cake in the background.

With baking supplies being in high demand right now, here’s a quick and easy dessert you can make with limited ingredients. This recipe is an adaptation of my Easy Fresh Strawberry Cake and it’s similar to a coffee cake. I simply swapped the strawberries for apples and added a cinnamon-sugar topping. Serve it with some vanilla ice cream, frozen custard or a dollop of sweetened whipped cream for a special Easter dessert. A cinnamon sugar apple cake on a pink ruffled cloth surrounded by apples and cinnamon sticks.

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Just 5 ingredients – This recipe is simply eggs, sugar, flour, apples, and cinnamon. There are no leavening agents, butter or oil. The eggs are what gives this cake rise, moisture, and richness.
  • It’s loaded with fruit – With one whole pound of apples in this cake, you can be sure there is plenty of fruit in every bite!

How to make apple cinnamon cake:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

Process picture collage of how to make apple cinnamon cake.

  1. Beat the eggs and granulated sugar for 3 minutes or until pale in color.
  2. Sift in the flour and gently stir with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  3. Fold in the apple chunks.
  4. Spoon the batter into a greased 9″ round cake pan or pie plate. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 400F for 5 minutes, then 350F for 30 minutes.

Expert tips:

  • Beat your eggs and sugar well. Because there are no leavening agents in this recipe, make sure you take the time to beat your eggs and sugar very well to incorporate as much air as possible. This is what gives the cake its structure.
  • Use room temperature eggs. Room temperature eggs whip up and rise more easily, which is especially important in this recipe.
  • Gently fold in the sifted flour. You want to be gentle when mixing in the flour, so you don’t deflate all the air that was incorporated into the batter while beating your eggs. For best results, use a rubber spatula and an over-and-under motion to mix.

FAQ:

  • Can you make apple cinnamon cake in advance? It’s best to make this cake the day of. Because of the large amount of fruit in it, the cake tends to get soggy the next day.
  • How to store – You can store this cake covered up at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for up to 2 days. But again, it’s best to enjoy this cake fresh the day of.
  • What type of apple is best for apple cake? – A sweet variety that holds its shape when baked is best. My favorite sweet baking apples are Royal Gala, Ambrosia, Honey Crisp, and Golden Delicious.

An apple cinnamon cake with a slice bring removed from it. This apple cinnamon cake is soft, dense and moist. The texture is similar to a coffee cake. It’s loaded with apples and it’s not too sweet. It’s great on its own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, frozen custard or a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

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Apple Cinnamon Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Lily Ernst
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10
  • Category: dessert
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This easy apple cinnamon cake is soft, moist and loaded with apples. It’s sprinkled with a delicious cinnamon-sugar topping and has only 5 ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 6 oz (~3/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 6 oz (~1&1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1lb (~3 cups) sweet baking apples (peeled, cored and cut into small chunks)**
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a 9″ round cake pan or pie plate.
  2. Beat the eggs and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes (or until pale in color).
  3. Sift in the flour and gently stir with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  4. Fold in the chopped apples and transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan.
  5. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tbsp of granulated sugar and the 1 tsp of cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over top of the cake.
  6. Bake for 5 minutes at 400F. Then lower the temp to 350F and bake for another 30-35 minutes or until golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let cool to just warm or room temperature. Enjoy as is or serve with vanilla ice cream, frozen custard or sweetened whipped cream.

Notes

This cake is best served the day of, but you can store it covered up at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for up to 2 days.

**A sweet variety that holds its shape when baked is best. My favorite sweet baking apples are Royal Gala, Ambrosia, Honey Crisp, and Golden Delicious.